CFIT 2025: A Year of Strength, Setbacks & Growth
If I had to sum up 2025 in one word, it would be growth. Not the neat, Instagram-ready kind, the real kind. The kind that stretches you, tests you, humbles you, and ultimately reshapes you. This year asked more of me than any other. Personally. Professionally. Emotionally. And somehow, CFIT grew through it all.
January | A Quiet Start, Strong Intentions
We kicked off 2025 with Christopher heading off to Australia and Mum and I missing him deeply. To cope, we did what we always do when life feels heavy: We climbed Lurig. Fresh air, movement, perspective.
I restarted Pilates in the Old School House, launching with two full classes, and began goal-setting with my 1-to-1 clients. The focus was clear from day one of the new year: becoming Stronger for Life, not just fitter for January.
February | Colour, Community & the First Hint of Spring
February brought a pop of colour to CFIT, with new apparel colours dropping. Seeing people wear my brand, something that once lived only in my head still makes me smile. Paddy even gets excited about it. Pride doesn’t even cover it.
We also hosted our first CFIT x North Coffee Run Club of the year. The sun showed up, the legs moved, the chats flowed and it felt like the first real glimmer of spring. Community at its best.
March | International Women’s Day & Full Circle Moments
March was powerful. For International Women’s Day, I highlighted my clients on social media, one by one, showing what Stronger for Life truly means in real women’s lives. Strength, resilience, confidence, balance.
I was also invited to speak at Garron Tower, my old school. Standing there, talking to 1st years and 6th years, felt surreal. I spoke honestly about being bullied, about disordered eating, about losing my period.. and about finding strength through movement, purpose, and self-belief. It was emotional, raw, and incredibly full circle.
April | Building the CFIT App & Trusting the Process
April was big behind the scenes.
I began planning the CFIT App — workouts, photoshoots, content, structure. It felt like a huge gamble. Stress levels were high, but deep down I trusted it was the right move.
Mum and I also climbed Lurig seven days in a row, and on the final day we brought a group of CFITters with us. The views were unreal, the energy was electric, and it reminded me why community is at the heart of everything I do.
May | A Pinch-Me Moment
May took me by surprise.
While in Cannes, I received a message from Daniel McKenna (The Irish Yank) asking me to jump on a call. That call changed everything. I was offered the role of Head Nutrition Coach for The Irish Yank Society, working with American clients.
A genuine pinch-me moment. And in the middle of it all — the CFIT App launched. Months of work, uncertainty, and belief finally out in the world.
June | When Everything Changed
June was the hardest month of the year and of my life.
I became extremely unwell. Constant pain, heavy bleeding, exhaustion. Coaching felt impossible. Running hurt. I lived with a hot water bottle and barely had energy to function. Howerver, the show must go on. We still held a North Coffee x CFIT run on Glenariffe Beach — a dream day, shadowed by pain.
Late June, I found out I was pregnant.
A week later, I was told I had miscarried.
Another week passed, the bleeding continued. On June 30th, I was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy. Life changed in an instant.
July | Recovery, Resilience & Showing Up Differently
July was a blur.
Keyhole surgery. Recovery. Rebuilding.
I took one week off coaching.. which in hindsight was not long enough. I then returned, sitting on a plyo box, coaching my clients from afar. CFIT kept moving, even when I couldn’t fully. We spent time on Muck Island as a family. Heat, peace, quiet mornings, and slow healing. Exactly what I needed.
August | Community Energy Returns
By August, movement felt somewhat joyful again. I could go on walks by myself, without Paddy worrying about me.
The Heart of the Glens Festival saw CFIT host both a run club and a Pilates morning. Over 100 people joined the run — laughter, sweat, community everywhere. It reminded me that CFIT is so much bigger than workouts. We also took to Rathlin for our 3rd Rathlin Fun Run... a fantastic day had by all.
September | Across the Atlantic
September took Paddy and me to Tampa, Florida, where we coached alongside Daniel at the Strength Summit.
Ten years after my last Florida visit, being back felt surreal. Paddy discovered a new appreciation for strength training (thanks to some very persuasive coaches). I met the Irish Yank community in person — and felt instantly at home.
October | Pilates Pink & Purpose
October was about giving back. We hosted Pilates Pink, both in person and online, raising £1,000 for breast cancer awareness. Movement with meaning — one of the proudest moments of the year. I have had the privilege of working with cancer patients on their journey back to strength, so this felt extremely fitting.
November | Results, Capacity & Quiet Struggles
November delivered incredible client results — 2–3 stone fat loss for many, others coming off painkillers, some learning to love themselves again.
CFIT was at full capacity. But personally, I struggled. I hadn’t given myself enough time to heal emotionally. My heart was broken, even while the business thrived. It was a reminder that strength doesn’t mean invincibility.
December | Proof That It Was All Worth It
December closed the year with clarity. I sponsored the Minor Hurling team as they embarked on their (now win) as Ulster Champions. We held our first Prosecco and Pilates event and of course, hosted our biggest 21 Days of Sweat ever.
Over 140 people participating
1,800+ classes completed in the app alone
Proof that the CFIT App was meant to be. Proof that the universe had a plan, even when I couldn’t see it. I took a gamble on this platform and I truly believe, if I hadn't launched it, my business would be in a must different (worse) position today.
Thank You
If you’ve followed CFIT this year — trained with me, trusted me, supported me, or simply watched quietly from the sidelines. Thank you.
2025 was a year of resilience, belief, heartbreak, community, and enormous growth. CFIT exists because of the people who show up for themselves and for each other.
Here’s to continuing to get Stronger for Life.
Together.
🩵 Catherine